Antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effect of balanites aegyptiaca seeds [aqueous extract] on diabetic rats

Type II diabetes mellitus is increasing health problems that negatively affect health care systems worldwide. There is a constant urge to develop new therapies with better effects, lower side effects at lower prices to treat this disease. Therefore, the present study carried out to investigate whether Balanites aegyptiaca [seeds] could treat the hyperglycemic, dislipidemic, liver, and kidney toxicity and the pancreatic damage in diabetic rats. Fifteen adult male albino rats were divided into two groups; group 1: control group, group 2: alloxan induced diabetic rats that divided into two subgroups; subgroup1: diabetic untreated rats, subgroup2: diabetic treated with aqueous extract of B. aegyptiaca [seeds]. After thirty days of treatment, all rats were sacrificed. Blood sample were collected to estimate some hematological and biochemical parameters. Liver samples were collected to determine their glycogen content and pancreatic samples were obtained and processed for microscopic and quantitative evaluation of, alpha, beta and delta-cells number. Diabetic group recorded reduction in body weight's gained, hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia, significant increase in some parameters of liver and kidney functions, dislipidemia, changes in proteins level and decreased liver glycogen content. While, treatment with B. aegyptiaca [seeds] was ameliorated most of the toxic effects of alloxan and showed partially improvement in histological changes produced by alloxan. The aqueous extract of B. aegyptiaca [seeds] has hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic effects, increasing insulin level, and decreasing insulin resistance. Moreover, ameliorate the most complication associated with diabetes mellitus

Effect of Zingiber officinale on fatty liver induced by oxytetracycline in albino rats

Fatty liver causes were markedly increased in Egyptian people throughout last years. People prefer to use the medicinal plants instead of using chemical compounds because they are cheap and have few side effects compared to chemical compounds. Ginger is a natural dietary rhizome with antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible potential therapeutic and protective effects of Zingiber officinale [ginger] against oxytetracyclininduced fatty liver in an attempt to understand its mechanism of action, which may pave the way for possible therapeutic applications. Albino rats were divided into two major groups, 15 rats for each. The first group was divided into three sub-groups: a] control, b] fatty liver group; that was injected intraperitonealy with oxytetracycline [120mg/kg] for three consecutive days and c] ginger treated group; which was treated with ginger water extract [125 mg/kg] for 30 days after fatty liver induction . All animals were scarified after 33 days of the beginning of the experiment. The second group was divided into three subgroups: a] control, b] fatty liver group; that was injected intraperitonealy with oxytetracycline [120 mg/kg] for three consecutive days and c] ginger protective group; which received ginger for 15 days before induction of fatty liver, then sacrificed after induction of fatty liver [3 days]. Blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. Liver specimens were obtained and fixed in 10% formalin for histological study. Fatty liver groups showed high significant increase in serum glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, ALAT, ASAT, GGT, LDH, urea, creatinine and A/G ratio while total protein, albumin, globulin and HDL cholesterol were significantly decreased compared to control group. These biochemical changes were accompanied with histopathological alterations in fatty liver tissue. The treatment with ginger ameliorated most of the evaluated biochemical parameters and improved the induced degenerative histopathological changes. The pre-treatment with ginger before the induction of fatty liver gave some protection against factors that experimentally induced fatty liver. Ginger as diet additive is recommend for fatty liver patients or those people who have hyperlipidemic family history

Effect of Cichorium intybus L. on fatty liver induced by oxytetracycline in albino rats

Fatty liver is now one of the most common diseases in Egypt. People prefer to use the medicinal plants instead of using chemical compounds because they are cheap and have few side effects compared to chemical compounds.The current investigation was carried out to examine the possible potential therapeutic and protective effects of Cichorium intybus [chicory] against oxytetracyclin-induced fatty liver in an attempt to understand its mechanism of action, which may pave the way for possible therapeutic applications. Albino rats were divided into two major groups, 15 rats for each. The first group was divided into three sub-groups: a] control, b] fatty liver group; that was injected intraperitonealy with oxytetracycline [120mg/kg] for three consecutive days resulting in steatosis and c] chicory treated group; which was treated with chicory water extract [70 mg/kg] for 30 days after fatty liver induction . All animals were scarified after 33 days of the beginning of the experiment. The second group was divided into three subgroups: a] control, b] fatty liver group; that was injected intraperitonealy with oxytetracycline [120mg/kg] for three consecutive days and c] drug protection group; which received chicory for 15 days before induction of fatty liver, then sacrificed after induction of fatty liver [3 days]. Blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. Liver specimens were obtained and fixed in 10% formalin for histological study. Fatty liver groups showed high significant increase in serum glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, ALAT, ASAT, GGT, LDH, urea, creatinine and A/G ratio while total protein, albumin, globulin and HDL cholesterol were significantly decreased compared to control group. These biochemical changes were accompanied with histopathological alterations in fatty liver tissue. The treatment with chicory ameliorated most of the evaluated biochemical parameters and improved the induced degenerative histopathological changes. The pre-treatment with chicory before the induction of fatty liver gave some protection against factors that experimentally induced fatty liver. Chicory as diet additive is recommend for fatty liver patients or those people who have hyperlipidemic family history

Effect of geranium [P-elargonium graveolens] leaf extract on hepatic and renal functions in mice

Pelargonium graveolens L'Herit is a perennial herb used for many medicinal treatments as staunch bleeding, heal wounds and antibacterial properties. Its common English name is geranium. In this study we follow up the effect of a high dose of this plant extract on two vital organs [liver and kidney] following treated and recovery period. Animals were divided into two major groups, a control and an experimental group. Animals of the experimental group received geranium extract orally day by day in a dose of 869 Amg/ kg/ day for 20 days. Animals were sacrificed after treated [20 days] and recovery periods [10 and 20 days]. Blood samples were collected for hematological tests and biochemical analysis. Liver and kidney specimens were obtained and fixed in 10% formol saline for histological and histochemical study. AST, ALT, GGT, LDH, urea, createnine, total lipid and cholesterol were significantly increased after treated and recovery period of 10 days. However, glucose level, total protein, albumin and globulin were significantly decreased in animals after treated period. Histological changes in treated sections of the liver showed evidence of degeneration, necrosis and mononuclear cellular infiltration and in kidney sections, tubular degeneration and glomerular atrophy were observed. Degenerative changes in both proximal [WBCs casts] and medullary tubules [hyaline casts] were also observed at recovery periods. Masson's trichrome stained sections in liver showed increased collagen fibers around congested central veins, blood sinusoids and portal areas. While in kidney sections, the extract could not induce any change in the collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Some parameters of the previous physiological and histological changes which were observed after treatment disappeared after a recovery period of 20 days. Histochemical studies revealed a significant decrease in PAS positive material in liver aft the recovery periods. However DNA content showed non-significant difference in all the experimental periods. The over dose of geranium extract caused liver and kidney damage. So, it is well recommended to use this plant at a suitable dose for clinical therapy and if it is used for long time, kidney and liver functions must be tested periodically

Effect of prion protein extract on the morphology of chick embryos with special reference to the cerebellum

Prion disease is transmitted under natural conditions and involves a variety of mechanism through multiple routes. Prion protein peptides were generated according to amino acid sequences. To study the effect of prion protein extract on the embryo using egg as a model. Thirty chickens, one-day old from Arbor acre strain were used in this study and divided into three groups. The 1[st] group was fed on basal diets and served as a control. The 2[nd] and 3[rd] groups were fed on hyperproteinized diets which contained 50% and 80% concentrates respectively. After four months of feeding, brain, spleen, heart and lung were obtained for the isolation and purification of prion protein [PrP]. The result of SDS-PAGE gel electrophoretic separation of the PrP showed that, all organs contained a major band around 29 - 30 kdt. But purification of the PrP indicated that, the only fraction contained one band in the lung, two bands in the spleen and heart and four bands in the brain. In addition, the normal sequence of isolated PrP was contained 209 amino acids. Chicken fertilized eggs from Arbor acre strain were used in this study and divided into five groups. Group A was a control group. Groups B, C, D, and E that injected with 50 micro L PrP extracted from brain, spleen, heart and lung, respectively of the adult chicken fed on diets containing 80% protein for four months. The eggs were incubated at 37.8°C for 22 days and the injection was performed in the albumin on the 1[st] day of incubation. The eggs were opened on days 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15 and 21. Embryos were collected for the morphological examination. On day 15 of incubation, the eggs were opened and the cerebellum was processed for light microscopic study. Indicated that, PrP caused delay in hatching, decreased body weight and reduced body length. The percentages of malformations in embryos were 31.5, 25, 23 and 37% post injection with PrP extracted from brain, spleen, heart and lung respectively. The congenital malformations were malformed eyes, twisting legs, syndactylia and unformed abdominal wall. Cerebellar sections of chick embryos from injected eggs with any source of tissue PrP extracts showed vacuolar degeneration of cerebellar layers. Purkinje cells lost their normal flask-shaped appearance with eccentric nuclei. It was concluded that, a single injection of PrP which was extracted from hyperproteinized fed chicken caused congenital anomalies as well as histopathological changes independent on the source of tissue PrP

Effect of alocasia macrorrhiza extract on hepatorenal functions in mice

Alocasia macrorrhiza [L] Schott and Endl is an ornamental perennial herbaceous plant which grows in coastal wetlands and valleys. Its common English name is Giant Elephant's Ear. The study planned to follow up the effect of the plant extract of Alocasia macrorrhiza on hepatorenal functions in mice following treated and recovery periods. Animals were divided into two major groups, a control and an experimental group. Animals of the experimental group received Alocasia extract orally day by day in a dose of 144.6mg / kg /day for 20 days. Animals were sacrificed after treated and recovery periods of 10 and 20 days respectively, blood samples were collected for hematological tests and biochemical analysis. Liver and kidney specimens were obtained and fixed in 10% formol saline for histological and histochemical study. RBCs, Hb were significantly decreased after treated period. Total protein, albumin and globulin were significantly decreased, while, AST, ALT, GGT, LDH, urea, creatinine, total lipid and cholesterol were significantly increased after treated and recovery period of 10 days. Histological changes in treated sections of the liver showed evidence of cellular degeneration and necrosis and in Kidney sections, tubular necrosis, glomerular shrinkage and atrophied glomerular tuft of capillaries were prominent. Mallory stained sections in liver showed increased collagen fibers around congested central veins, blood sinusoids and portal areas. While in kidney sections, the extract could not induce any change in the collagen fibers in the connective tissue. The changes which were observed after treatment disappeared after a recovery period of 20 days. However, the vascular congestion persisted. Histochemical studies revealed a significant decrease in PAS positive material in kidney after treated and a recovery period of 10 days. However DNA content showed non significant difference in all the experimental periods. The high LD[50] of the reversible action of the plant need more studies in different suitable doses before recommendation to use it safety as medicinal plant

Biological studies on fresh water snails target to Schistosoma mansoni infection

In this study ,upon exposure of laboratory Egyptian B. alexandrina and B. glabrata snails to its homologus strain of S. mansoni, two different phenotype strains " susceptible and resistant " were distinguished . The aim of this study is to investigate the biological differences between the two types of Biomphalaria snails either susceptible or resistant at different ages. The investigated parameters included mortality, survival, percentage of susceptibility / resistance to parasitic infection and fecundity. The results of the preliminary exposure experiment revealed that parental snail stock was not completely susceptible and tend to be partially refractory to infection. The results also showed a strong association between the levels of egg production and susceptibility to parasite infection. Where breeding experiment revealed that, total egg number, E/M and EM values produced by resistant phenotype of both snail species were more than those produced by susceptible progeny snails. Also, it was noticed that, egg production is associated inversely proportion with snail age